Honorary Degrees

Glen O. Toney

Glen O. Toney

Businessman/ Community Leader

California State University, Chico

Glen O. Toney has distinguished himself as an outstanding business executive, prominent community leader, volunteer extraordinaire, philanthropist and major supporter of numerous boards and community organizations.

Dr. Toney received his doctorate in organizational behavior from the University of Southern California. Widely recognized for his business acumen, he served for 23 years, until his retirement in 2002, as an executive with Applied Materials, Inc., the largest supplier of products and services to the global semiconductor industry. His leadership contributed to Applied Materials frequently being named among the most admired, best managed, highest performing and most diverse companies. Fortune magazine profiled Applied Materials on its list of "Best Places to Work in America," and Business Ethics named it one of the "100 Best Corporate Citizens."

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Toney answered the call to serve in a capacity that advances civil rights and social justice. A long-time leader in the community, he served on the board of directors of the National Conference for Community Justice, the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative and the East Palo Alto Boys Choir.

He has served California State University, Chico as president of the Alumni Association, is a member of the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology advisory board, and is a board member of the Northern California Natural History Museum.

Dr. Toney is the recipient of a number of awards, including the David Packard Civic Entrepreneurs Award, the NAACP Community Service Award, the Leadership in Action Award for Outstanding Commitment to Education and Community, and the Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at California State University, Chico.

In recognition of his personal and professional achievements and meritorious service to society, the Board of Trustees of The California State University and California State University, Chico are proud to confer upon Glen O. Toney the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.